episode_0010

Lord Raden’s spacious chamber.

Several men, their heads bowed in serious conversation, exchanged words with a sense of gravity. In the ongoing discussion with no clear conclusion in sight, one of them let out a heavy sigh.

“Are you really going through with this, Captain? Everything was going well until now.”

The person they referred to as the Captain was a charming man with tousled brown hair – Rood. His eyes narrowed above his twisted smile.

“Damn it, I didn’t want to rush into this. But because of that mysterious person, the tower of cards is starting to crumble.”

“How serious is it that even the Captain can’t control it?”

“I don’t know about the others, but I do. Doubts are creeping up from the depths of her consciousness. If she snaps out of it, years of planning will go down the drain.”

Rood gritted his teeth. He had been observing her closely by the Lord’s side for years. Now, just by the Lord’s gestures and expressions, his thought process was clearly visible.

“Despicable wench.”

The words of contempt for the woman he was about to betray slipped out of Rood’s mouth. His anger surged at the current situation where the heavens were interfering with the well-laid plans.

“If only we had a little more time, we could have easily integrated into noble society… Tsk.”

He clicked his tongue sharply.

Rood was originally the leader of a regular mercenary group. Roaming conflict zones to earn money, using his exceptional looks to charm women and repeat one-night stands. So when he first made a contract with Lord Raden, he had no ulterior motives. He only had a business-like mindset of working for the money.

It was about half a year after he had been living comfortably at the Lord’s estate that a plan flashed in his mind.

Having discarded countless women with his handsome appearance, he quickly caught on. This woman, who seemed high and mighty on the surface, was in fact a person with very low self-esteem compared to most upper-class nobles.

And he could see through her efforts to hide it, even transparently hinting at intellectual affection while pretending to ignore him.

He was certain it was the perfect opportunity.

He had spent years managing his reputation, building trust. Whenever he coincidentally met the Lord, he repeated the tempting gestures that seemed almost within reach. And he even elicited sighs of regret about not being able to marry at this age and having rumors circulating in high society.

Most of the flatterers approaching her were young nobles eyeing the Lord’s money.

Some said they were hesitant to enter a relationship because it was burdensome to become a stepmother.

Even some cowardly men found it daunting that she had skills.

As a result, marriage was out of the question, and she had never properly met anyone.

He wanted to swallow it all in one gulp, but it was too early. He had to wait patiently until she clung to him periodically. He was a common mercenary, and she was a noble, so the only way to overturn the power difference between them was through this.

He gradually infiltrated her daily life discreetly. He became so ingrained in her daily routine that it was hard to imagine a day without him. Except for the areas where money was involved, he left his mark on the woman’s scarce self-esteem. Carefully, so it was hard to erase.

As he repeated this, Lord Raden eventually entrusted me with household chores. It was originally the duty of the Lord’s steward.

The viscount’s hidden thoughts were palpable, the final test she faced in considering the proposal. The last piece of the elaborate puzzle that was the tower.

So she commanded her subordinates.

If the viscount’s hesitancy leaked out and became a laughingstock, she could consider giving up her heart, so control the mansion.

If they were not important figures in business, send them back as much as possible.

But the result was a mess like this.

“Ah, damn it… My ankle is completely messed up. I can’t even walk, and those bastards did something sneaky, Captain.”

“Don’t make a fuss. Before killing them.”

“Ugh…”

That idiot sat there making excuses without even knowing how he got hit. A stupid bastard. He must feel ashamed to complain about getting hit.

He had been burdened with the task of escorting such a useless lackey. He felt like he wanted to put a knife to his throat and kill him right away.

“Ha…”

He let out a breath full of frustration. The members gathered in the room trembled in fear.

He had pretended to be a gentleman in front of the viscount, but if he had to choose the most ruthless person, he had to give the palm to Rude.

One brave member gathered the courage to speak up in the suffocating atmosphere.

“Captain, can you handle it? If the viscount goes crazy…”

“No, that will never happen. I know her best.”

Pretending to be confident, she was more sensitive to others’ gazes than anyone else. With low self-esteem, she was afraid of being underestimated and found it difficult to share even a small worry.

Yes, even if she was forced into adultery, she couldn’t dare to spread it outside. She would probably be busy hiding the fact that she was violated against her will like other well-bred maidens. And if she was a woman with a title, what would happen?

The world of society is like a mud pit, full of wildness that devours the victims even more.

They made quite a bit of money and were insulted. They pretended to be high and mighty, but in the end, a woman was a woman. Even other women were ready to criticize the viscount and pour salt on her wounds.

Nobility of the aristocracy? What a joke. The highest point of the empire is closer to the vulgar bottom.

So we, who are at the bottom, must stand shoulder to shoulder with them.

“It’s too far gone to go out like a gentleman. Tonight, I will seduce the viscount and get the marriage contract. Call the scattered ones right now and close the mansion.”

“What about the viscount’s guests…”

“Don’t ask. It would be troublesome if unnecessary rumors spread.”

Rude’s orders were clear.

“Kill them without anyone knowing.”

So they could excuse themselves for leaving early the next morning.

The subordinates glanced at Rude and scattered to gather the scattered troops. It was to regroup. Then they went to carry out their orders, brandishing ominous swords.

Thud. Thud.

The late-night corridor was chilly. It was not a typical summer night with a tropical night tormenting them. Even the sound of footsteps that killed echoed as if they were walking together. Even though it was his own footsteps, he felt a superficial aversion.

The western end of the mansion. The guest room assigned by the viscount was in sight. They checked their sharp swords and discreetly shifted their weight towards the door.

With their heightened senses, they detected nothing. They worried if the person inside was not awake, but it seemed quiet.

Balancing on the edge like a balloon filled to its limit.

Like an assassin, they hid their presence and opened the door.

The well-oiled latch opened silently. In that cooperative space, multiple blades projected the moonlight menacingly like a wolf’s teeth.

‘Who is this person wearing a mask to sleep?’

It was a dire situation, yet his expression was eerily calm.

It was better this way. He didn’t need to see the face of his target. Without any hesitation, he could plunge the knife without a second thought. That was the mindset of the man in charge of carrying out the execution.

His patience was soon met with the end.

“Die…!”

The blade strikes the chest where the heart lies.

Success. Even if he wakes up, he can only meet his demise by spitting out blood.

The exhilaration of a clean mission success dominates his mind.

Just as he was about to exhale liberating breath.

Thud.

Just before the blade could pierce through the fabric, only two fingers caught and stopped it.

The man, who had just moments ago seemed ridiculous, spoke.

“It was your last chance.”

◇

“It was your last chance to return to normal life.”

As I quietly informed them of their fate, the man who had been about to attack me hesitated and stepped back. His face filled with shock at the situation that surpassed his understanding.

“I wished you would give up.”

Embarrassingly, at first, I mistook her for Serin. She had shown excessive curiosity about my true identity, so I believed she would break in during the night.

That’s why, even though it was a private room, I slept with a mask on. But when she actually approached, the thought of her disappointment in my thorough precautions was unsettling.

Perhaps it was for the best.

Given the current situation, it didn’t become a scenario where I would torment her.

“Why go to such lengths.”

I smoothly got out of bed and stepped on the floor.

Whether it was due to the unexpected turn of events or not, there was no restraint from them. But the gunpowder was quietly burning. The bomb, condensed with high tension and anger, exploded all at once.

“Damn it, kill him!”

The man at the forefront swung his sharp blade. One in the front. Combined with the left and right, four. It was impressive, but it didn’t bring any satisfaction.

Before the man’s blade could reach my neck, I closed the distance and shattered his collarbone with my elbow.

Crack!

“Argh…!”

I pushed him against the wall with my elbow. In the meantime, the assassins tapped the dark floor.

While they couldn’t hide their dismay, a glimmer of hope could be seen in the eyes of the man gasping for breath. It seemed like he was placing his hopes on not being killed instantly.

The assassins in the background were no different. Like colleagues trying to negotiate with hostages, they stood at a distance with their knives drawn. In fact, the man with the broken collarbone and the assassins in the background were desperately communicating without words.

For a moment, the thought of complying with their expectations arose, but I quickly dismissed it. I grabbed his chest and exerted force on my grip.

Thud, thud, thud, crack!

A cruel scream of torn pectoral muscles and broken ribs dominated the space. I untangled the veins wrapped around my fingers and let the blood, with a metallic scent, drip onto the floor. Then, I turned my gaze to his companion.

“Damn it… damn it all…”

Their footsteps unconsciously retreated. When I took a step closer, they recoiled. The inevitable game of cat and mouse had its starting line cut off.

Why?

I’m curious about the reason why someone who is trying to kill others is actually afraid of death. Did they not anticipate this situation at all? If so, do the men in front of me and my parents share the same mindset?

I don’t know.

My head feels foggy.

There’s no choice. I have to kill them all.

Swish.

The fog rises. Concealing its presence in the darkness of midnight, it dons the mask of shadows. While they are distracted, the noose tightens around their necks as the fog awaits the execution order.

It was the moment when I slowly clenched my fist.

Crack, crash!

The window behind the assassins. The meticulously cleaned transparent glass was completely shattered by someone’s sudden intrusion.

Soon after, a massive silhouette floated in the air, coloring the monochrome world.

“Liaaaaaan!!!”

With the momentum of a raging storm, the intruder flew towards me.

It was Serin.